Breast Cancer Patient Information, Support Groups and Resources

Pre-Op Classes

Breast Care Navigator Led Pre-Operative Classes

If you are having breast surgery at an Inova hospital, our breast care navigators offer pre-operative teaching to help you prepare and to answer questions you may have. You will learn:

How to prepare for surgery

What to expect during your hospital stay

The importance of managing pain

Drain and dressing management

Practical tips for bathing, sleeping and moving comfortably

Inova breast care navigators work closely with surgeons who perform mastectomies, lumpectomies and reconstructive surgeries at the five Inova hospitals. Many patients prefer to take a pre-op class at the hospital where their surgery is scheduled, but you may visit any location that is convenient for you.

Locations and contact info

Please call one of our breast care navigators to ask about pre-op classes at a location near you or just to talk.

Support Groups

Life with Cancer®

Inova Life with Cancer® Program is a comprehensive, one-stop community service that offers you and your loved ones education, information and support – all at no charge. We can help you meet the challenges of living with breast cancer no matter where you live or receive treatment.

Young Women with Breast Cancer Support Group

Survivors Offering Support (SOS)

Whether you’re facing breast cancer and could benefit from the help of a mentor or you are a breast cancer survivor and can offer help to another, SOS is for you.

Newly diagnosed? SOS lets you share the breast cancer journey with someone who has experienced your situation first hand. A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming, but we are here to help. Mentors, all breast cancer survivors themselves, are specially trained to provide knowledge, support, encouragement and a shoulder to lean on. With SOS, you are never alone.

Survivorship

Who Is a Cancer Survivor?

A cancer survivor is a person diagnosed with cancer or affected by that diagnosis, such as a family member, friend or caregiver.

This definition of a cancer survivor is adapted from The National Action Plan, a cancer survivorship collaborative effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Lance Armstrong Foundation

Cancer affects one out of three individuals, either as a patient or a loved one. The focus on early detection and effective treatment means more people than ever before are surviving cancer.

But cancer survivors, including breast cancer survivors, may face a variety of physical, psychological, social, spiritual and financial issues as they move through diagnosis, treatment, and for the remaining years of their lives. Here are some of the issues The National Action Planhopes to address:

Prevent secondary cancers and cancer recurrence whenever possible

Ensure the maximum number of years of healthy life for cancer survivors through optimal disease management

Minimize pain, disability and psychosocial distress for those living with, through and beyond cancer

Assist cancer survivors with appropriate support and resources for themselves, family, friends and colleagues